Archive for ‘Exercise Diagrams’

Part of The Arena – The Right Tool for the Trade series, this exercise diagram illustrates how to properly bend your horse and how to create the Classical Stretch – the hallmark of the Equine Expert. Perfecting this diagram will take a life long commitment. Suitable for Horses Training: All Levels Also available as part […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Part of The Arena – The Right Tool for the Trade series, careful study of this diagram guarantees a classical bending based upon your horse’s agility and willingness to allow the curved line of the circle to flex his entire body. Suitable for Horses Training: Horses training shoulder-in, haunches-in and renvers Companion Exercises: The Arena […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Part of The Arena – The Right Tool for the Trade series, this exercise diagram, along with it’s companion pattern Chart II, illustrate common errors many competition riders make when entering the arena. Read “Nighttime Hazards,” a Personal Reflections story included with this diagram, that reveals how Karl discovered an important lesson about taking shortcuts […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

The entry, the halt, the salute, the move off and the turn at C – all influence the score. Impress the judge with brilliance and correctness. This diagram illustrates common mistakes made at this crucial part of riding any dressage test. Part of The Arena – The Right Tool for the Trade series. Suitable for […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Long considered the hallmark of an expert rider, this diagram illustrates the proper set up required to execute the perfect diagonal. Included as an added bonus is a short story from Karl’s Personal Reflections as he relates the importance of drawing accurate lines in the sand during one of his “nighttime capers” at the Spanish […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

An invaluable diagram for training the shoulder-in, horses learn to be independent of the wall, and the rider develops a good feeling for the line of travel. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena series. Suitable for Horses Training: Second through Fourth Levels Companion Exercise: Smart Use of the Arena – Training for Shoulder-In […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

A perfect companion exercise to Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena – Training for Half Pass Left in Trot and Canter, this pattern may be ridden in either the trot or canter. When ridden in the canter, flying changes will be required thus making it a perfect exercise for those horses training Fourth through FEI […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Part of the Smart Use of the Arena series, there is no better combination than this pattern for teaching super half passes. Karl’s article “A Few Thoughts on Half Passes” includes this exercise and “Training the Half-Pass Left from the Figure 8.” If you wish to purchase both of these half pass exercises, save money […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Use this pattern from First to Third Levels to confirm your horse in basics. On a higher level, this exercise will refine the horse’s skill and performance by creating better balance and engagement, providing more elevation, lightness and a much higher level of flexibility and suppleness. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena series. […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Part of Smart Use of the Arena series, this exercise will perfect both horse’s and rider’s understanding of correct execution of the circle – a skill that lower level riders must exhibit before moving to a higher level of riding. Suitable for Horses Training: Training to First Levels Companion Exercises: Smart Use of the Arena […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

In this diagram, Karl describes how to ride the figure 8 to perfection within a defined 20M circle. Used as a companion with his other Smart Use of the Arena figure 8 and circle exercises, this pattern not only provides excellent preparation for those horses training the flying change, but also will enhance the horse’s […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

This exercise pattern offers a unique approach to confirm shoulder-in in the forward, side-ways movement by controlling the line of the haunches. It will improve your feel for line and tempo by balancing your horse between both inner and outside aids. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena series. Suitable for Horses Training: Second […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

A particularly good exercise for those horses training the shoulder-in, in this pattern the horse must execute corners at close distances, a turn on the forehand in motion and be prepared for frequent bends and turns at the rider’s will. It also will confirm inner and outside leg obedience. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Considered the foundation of suppleness and flexibility, the figure8 leads to fluid transitions and provides excellent preparation for flying changes. This particular pattern outlines an excellent practice sequence of figure 8s. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena series. Suitable for Horses Training: All Levels Companion Exercises: Smart Use of the Arena – Left […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

This is an excellent exercise to teach the horse to transition smoothly between different degrees of bend. It’s a great companion to the Smart Use of the Arena – Touching the Same Tangent while Maintaining the Same Diameter exercise. Part of Karl’s Smart Use of the Arena series. Suitable for Horses Training: EVERY Second and […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

One of the most difficult exercises to execute is diminishing the circle – correctly that is. With this diagram Karl outlines how you can accomplish this with precision. One word of caution – do not attempt this with your horse until he has shown a thorough understanding of single voltes. Part of the Smart Use […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

In this exercise Karl outlines how to perfect bending in motion – considered by the Spanish Riding School more important than bending while standing still. This is an excellent exercise to use as a warm-up for the shoulder-in. Part of his Smart Use of the Arena series. Suitable for Horses Training: First to Fourth Levels […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

Use this exercise as a warm-up or companion to other exercises. Not only is this an excellent method of bringing the horse into good working shape, but it also teaches him to become the master of turning and skilled in transitions. Part of the Basic Exercises series. Suitable for Horses Training: All Levels Companion Exercises: […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

In this exercise Karl presents a pattern that teaches the horse not only the all-so-important turn on the forehand in motion, but respect for corners and for the rider’s influence. Part of his Basic Exercises series. Karl’s article “The So Important Turn on the Forehand in Motion” includes this exercise and “Turn on the Forehand […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

In this exercise Karl illustrates how to introduce your horse to the turn on the forehand in motion. This is the perfect way to teach your horse to relax in the shoulders, hips and belly. Part of his Basic Exercises series. Karl’s article “The So Important Turn on the Forehand in Motion” includes this exercise […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…